Quick Tip

Tame Your Terminal: Unmask Hidden Files with `ls -A`

Challenge: You’re trying to view all files in a directory, including those that start with a dot (hidden files), but `ls` only shows the visible ones.

The Solution: Use the `-A` flag with the `ls` command.

ls -A

Why it works: The `-A` (or `–almost-all`) option with `ls` lists all entries except for `.` (current directory) and `..` (parent directory), effectively showing all hidden files and directories without cluttering the output with the directory navigation entries.

Pro-Tip: Combine it with `-l` for a detailed, long listing of all files: ls -lA

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 5/29/2026